WASHINGTON – Since being elected 11 years ago, Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, has held 305 town hall meetings in sweaty high school gyms, community centers and county courthouses across his district.
But during this summer’s month-long congressional recess, he won’t be holding any in person.
Baird said his decision to scrub such constituent gatherings was partly prompted by an atmosphere of intimidation and harassment from right-wing opponents of Democratic health care reform efforts who have disrupted town hall meetings in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas, Ohio and Wisconsin.
“It’s a lynch-mob mentality out there,” Baird said. “There is an ugliness to it.”
Though Baird has no town hall meetings scheduled in August, he does plan a tele-town hall, a type of event that in the past has attracted 4,000 or so people. Participants ask “constructive but tough questions” of the congressman, who appears via remote link.
Baird is no stranger to town hall protests, having faced left-wing opposition to his support for the surge of additional troops into Iraq during the Bush administration.
But he said protests have reached a “dangerous” new level.
Baird is not the only one to have noticed an increasingly hostile political environment, although he is the only Washington state congressman to cancel events.
At a recent town hall meeting in Lakewood, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, said there was some shouting, heckling and personal attacks from a crowd of about 250 that applauded the “anti-government” rhetoric.
Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, said a recent town hall meeting about veterans’ health issues was interrupted by people denouncing the Obama administration’s and congressional Democrats’ health care reform.
“It’s pretty flabbergasting to me that people have the guts to show up and interfere with questions about veterans’ health care,” said Larsen, whose district includes Bellingham.
Democrats say the town hall protests have been orchestrated by Republicans and the health care industry.
“This is not a spontaneous outburst,” Larsen said. “No one is fooled this is a grass-roots movement.”
House Minority Leader John Boehner has promised Democrats will be in for a long, hot summer. The National Republican Congressional Committee is sending out e-mails entitled “Recess Roastings: Washington Democrats Feel the Heat at Home.”
Conservative Web sites and blogs urge people to attend town halls. A posting on one site, which has been widely distributed, offers detailed tips on how to “rock the boat” and keep lawmakers on the defensive.
FreedomWorks, chaired by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, is offering “Health Care Action Kits. A group called Conservatives’ for Patients’ Rights has a list of every upcoming congressional town hall in the nation on its Web site.
The Web site of the Washington state Tea Party Patriots movement has sample questions people can ask and a “Notice of Termination” they can hand their senators and representatives. The Olympia Tea Party’s Web site warns of government-sponsored health care “unless we the people rise up and stop them.”
Dave Smith
Mr. wakeupamerica:So it's yet more personal shots from you, as now you're implying I'm lying about my name. Real classy of you. And we still don't have your identity.To compare the GOPs disruptive techniques with the Revolutionary War is an insult to our colonial troops. I don't recall the British ever being democratically elected to govern our country.
wakeupamerica
Mr. Smith,That's certainly not a common name. You state "I think the founding father would be rolling in their graves if they saw how uncivil some political maneuvers have become." Well, I think that the british soldiers once had that thought about our "unruly" founding fathers and we'll see where this "debate" takes us all. America is waking up and the far left is worried about who is going to buy them tea.
Dave Smith
Gee, I wonder why almost none of those championing the disruptive techniques use their real names? Is it because behind the flowery diatribes they realize that such actions are not right? No one is saying that dissent or questioning authority is wrong, just that no one should be disrupting public meetings just for the sake of stifling honest and fair debate.And wakeupamerica, you say "These representatives are simply afraid of facing the people and having to look them in the eyes." By the Chronicle's count, Baird has held more than 300 town hall meetings. Does that sound like someone afraid to face his constituents? Who can blame him if he won't take part in a circus, especially a belligerent one?And who's doing the demonizing? You're calling people cowards and saying they don't love this country just because they don't agree with YOU. Yeh, you're a real American.I think the Founding Fathers would be rolling in their graves if they saw how uncivil some political maneuvers have become. Does anyone truly think that shouting down discussions is what they had in mind? That's the final refuge for people who can't deal with matters in a democratic fashion, regardless of which side of the political spectrum from which they come.
TheAmerican
Dave Smith; Steve Bell, you might have been the first to comment, but you are far from the first to reason. By fomenting the idea of “rightwing radicals,” you have proven your ignorance to the essence of a democratic republic. If it is unacceptable that the people of the United States question their elected officials, hold them to accountability, and use them as a channel to voice their opinions, then we the people have traded our constitution for communism. As wakeupamerica asked of you, do site this “terroristic behavior” that you have termed this nonviolent democratic behavior. Nothing you stated has substance. You are severely detached from the system of government that has carried the United States to unprecedented accomplishments; you are a detriment to the American sentiment and for this you should be ashamed. Rather than fervent objection and resentment to this, I ask that you take the time that you would use to try and debase what has been said and research our system of government. Learn why it is a burning desire for those that seek it and the greatest reality for those that have it. Then, and only then, will you understand what it is that the men and women are doing as they fill the halls and rooms at the town meeting.If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.
wakeupamerica
"Radicalized right-wingers"? "Domestic TERRORISTS?" Distroying democracy?WHAT HAS THIS COME TO? Steve Bell's comments unfortunately reflect the mentality of the far left dedicated to demonizing anyone who opposes them. Sir, I can assure you that I have have much better things in my life to do than to have to constantly watch my representatives to make sure that they are not destroying my liberties and freedoms that they swore to protect. I suppose I am one of those "domestic terrorists" that had planned to make Rep. Baird account for his stand on the positions. I love this country more than most and obviously more than you sir. I still believe that part of the heartbeat of democracy is the ability to protest your government and as the first ammendment allows freedom of speech and "the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances." I haven't heard of any representatives or senators having ONE HAIR on their bodies injured during these townhall meetings. You claim there are violent and disruptive actions by the right-wingers. NAME ONE! SHOW ME WHERE THERE HAS BEEN VIOLENCE. These representatives are simply afraid of facing the people and having to look them in the eyes. But to compare us to "nazis" as Nancy Pelosi has or the likes of Timothy McVeigh is disgusting. How long has the liberal left been protesting? How many times did we see AMERICAN Liberals burning flags and pictures of President Bush looking like satan or the creation of movies of the assassination of President Bush while he was in office? I AM SO TIRED OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE STEVE BELL who don't love this country and who are set on taking away the rights of the people then blaming it on some fantasy. You should be ashamed of yourself and all that are like you. You are cowards and our founding fathers are rolling in their graves over this. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT IN THIS COUNTRY I AM BEING CALLED A DOMESTIC TERRORIST AND A NAZI BY COWARDS ON A COMPUTER AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BECAUSE I WISH TO BE HEARD BY MY REPRESENTATIVES!!!!
darkwingdave
It's ok when Code Pink, ACORN, student activists and other liberal groups show up and protest at GOP/conservative meetings causing disruptions and chaos but when the voters want their elected representatives to actually REPRESENT them and do their jobs - anarchy and nazi style techniques can't be far behind. The liberals from the 60's don't like seeing their own techniques being used in their 70's. If Baird can't face his constituents then find another job.
J
Can anyone figure out why large numbers of people are unhappy regarding "representation" and proposed so-called "health" care?
Steve Bell
It is unfortunate that a handful of radicalized right-wingers have made Townhall meetings unsafe to attend. Their disruptive and violent actions infringe on the right of others who want to participate in democracy and interact with our elected leaders. It is selfish of them to destroy this medium for the rest of us. I don’t blame Baird one bit for staying away from these dangerous and unstable ideologues. These people share the same political spectrum as domestic terrorists such as Timothy McVeigh, Eric Rudolph, Jim Adkisson and Ted Kaczynski; they are capable of anything.
Dave Smith
So this is the GOP's idea of democracy in action?